Politics & Government

Oak Lane Country Club is Finally Out of the Rough

Woodbridge P & Z approves permits for Joseph DiNatale, clearing the way for purchase.

The fate of the , which has flip-flopped many times since it due to declining enrollment, is finally decided. Last night, Woodbridge Planning and Zoning Commission voted to approve Joseph DiNatale’s applications for a special permit to operate a golf club, as well as a separate special permit for operation of liquor establishments at the club. DiNatale also owns The Tradition Golf Club in Wallingford.

DiNatale and his team presented a detailed plan for the operation of the club, which will continue to offer golf and restaurant service following an extensive renovation of the buildings. The tennis courts and bubble, which are now leased by a third party, will continue to operate under a lease agreement. The swimming pools, however, would be removed.

The Commission raised concerns regarding noise management, numbers of people who would be on the golf course or at events, and where the bars would be located in the facility. Half a dozen residents spoke during the public hearing, all of them in favor of the commission approving the permits. Most of them said they lived adjoining or near Oak Lane and had never experienced any problems with noise or being disturbed by the club. Several of them cited the club as a boon to the town and noted it was one of the top ten taxpayers as well as a major employer.

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In the end, the commission voted to approve the permits with the self-imposed stipulations set by DiNatale, as well as four other conditions: that the public restaurant and bar would be closed by 11 p.m. on evenings when there were no functions; the outdoor lighting would conform to regulations; a function would be defined as a having 100 or more people; there would be no more than one function per day.

Commission Chairman Jeffrey M. Kaufman congratulated DiNatale and said, “Now all you have to do is buy it.”

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“I will, sir,” DiNatale replied, “on Thursday morning!”


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